Jack Sheen is a composer and conductor from Manchester, England, who has worked with organisations ranging from the London’s Royal Opera House and the Venice Biennale to NTS Radio and Cafe Oto.
Described by The Quietus as ‘a singular young composer’, and as ‘possessing the kind of experience necessary to push contemporary classical music into new places’ (Boomkat), his music has been commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, and Wigmore Hall, amongst many others. His two recent albums – ‘Croon Harvest’ (2024) and ‘Solo for Cello’ (2023) – were released by The Trilogy Tapes.
His music has been described as ‘a welcome blaze of fierceness, imagined with perfect precision’ by The Telegraph and ‘a vibe’ by The Wire Magazine.
Jack will be part of Progetto Positano by ensemble mosaik at silent green on Wednesday, 23.10.2024
FACTS
1. I almost died from a scorpion sting when I was 13.
2. I have a scar on my toe from this experience.
3. My first instrument was bass guitar.
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
‘Liminal space’ meme Instagram accounts.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I watched a VHS my parents had taped of the band Queen live at Wembley almost every single day from around the age of 2.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Mark Leckey: GreenScreenRefridgeratorAction
Robert Ashley: Automatic Writing
Sibelius: Symphonies 1–7, Sakari Oramo and CBSO
Rhythm & Sound: Imprint
Playboi Carti: 2019-era leaks
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Ugly buildings with fantastic high ceilings.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Krumme Lanke.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I’d try and be a sculptor.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
Ben Smith’s recordings of Evan Johnson’s piano music – ‘lists, little stars’ – released by All That Dust.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Some moss.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Stevie Wonder performing two jazz standards unamplified on the piano at Ronnie Scott’s at 3.00am on a random Monday night. I can’t remember what they were.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
My laptop is from 2010 so it can’t be that important.
11. What can we expect from your concert in Berlin?
A big space full of sounds that are mostly out of reach.
